August 28 - September 1

Welcome to the first week of school!  This week, we'll get to know each other, talk about your expectations of me as your teacher, my expectations of students, and what our goals are for the year.  We'll also get familiar with routines and procedures in the class, and warm up for an engaging, productive year ahead.

SUMMER READING: There will be questions on the upcoming weekly quizzes covering Where You Go is Not Who You Are  and Warriors Don't Cry. 

MONDAY: (minimum day - all classes, 35 minutes per class) Find seats, welcome and introduction, journals passed out and started, share.  Receive syllabus, begin work on Interest Inventory Worksheet.

Due: First journal entry, completed in class.

Homework: Bring the Interest Inventory Worksheet for next class - you will have time to work on it in class, but you can start on it before next class if you think you'll need more time.

Read through the syllabus and ask parents/guardians to read, sign and return the signature page by September 6.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Journal, share.  Discuss summer reading.  Interest Inventory Worksheet activity.  The "dark side" of 11th grade PowerPoint (cheating, meltdowns, drugs).  Overview of the specific units we'll cover to prepare you for the writing you'll be expected to do during the year.  Go over Independent Reading Project in detail.  Discuss syllabus, procedures and routines.  Write one-page letter to yourself as a freshman.

Due: Interest Inventory Worksheet

Homework:

• Finish Letter to My Freshman Self for next class.
• Study classroom rules/procedures from notes and syllabus for first quiz. 
• Go over the syllabus with your parents/guardians and before September 6th, bring the signature page of the syllabus to class 
• Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 6.
• Research books on the Independent Reading Project Sheet and narrow down your choices. You'll turn in your decision next week on September 5 or 6.
• Work on gathering supplies (binder with tabs, per syllabus) for next week.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Journal, share.  Review procedures and routines.  First quiz covering procedures, classroom rules.  Turn in Letter to Freshman Self.  Warriors Don't Cry Gallery Walk and small group/whole class discussions.

Due: Letter to Freshman Self

Homework:

• Signature page of syllabus due by next class, Sept 5 or 6. 
• Turnitin.com permission form due back signed by September 6.
• Sign up for TheWeek.com weekly e-mail blast (see sidebar for instructions).
• Get supplies for class (notebook with tabs per syllabus).
• Choose one of the four themes from the Independent Reading Project list - final choice due in writing on Tuesday/Wednesday. 
• Log in to the Independent Reading Turnitin.com group (see sidebar on right hand side of this website for login info) and answer the first discussion question.  Read other responses to the question.
• Order or check out the independent reading book. (Please see or email me with any questions/concerns and I'm happy to help out here.)
• Please review Warriors Don't Cry for next week; the second week quiz on Thursday/Friday will cover this reading.
• Please read and annotate the article "I'm a White Man. Hear Me Out."  by Frank Bruni and come with opinions about the article for Tuesday/Wednesday.

Enjoy the three-day weekend!  I look forward to seeing you next week in class.